US20110022469A1 - Information distribution device, information distribution method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An information distribution device includes: a distribution information management table in which area information at the time of distribution indicating areas in which mobile terminals are located when advertising information is distributed from an information distributing part to the mobile terminals is recorded for each of the mobile terminals to which the advertising information is distributed from the information distribution part; a distribution area evaluation part that calculates, for each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the area information at the time of distribution, an area visit probability indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of area forming the distribution area when the advertising information is distributed from the information distribution part, a percentage of those who have visited a location indicated by the advertising information; and a distribution area updating part that updates distribution area information recorded in a distribution area management table such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality of areas, those whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority of the prior International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2008/056336, filed on Mar. 31, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
• The present invention relates to an information distribution device, an information distribution method and a program for distributing notification information regarding a predetermined location to mobile terminals located within the distribution area.
BACKGROUND
• In order to increase sales of products in which a variety of establishments deal, the following technique has been known in recent years. By pre-recording in an information distribution device advertising information indicating an advertisement for products of an establishment, the information distribution device distributes the advertising information (notification information) via a network to portable terminals (mobile terminals) owned by an indefinite number of users at the same time (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2001-350941, for example). For example, such an information distribution device determines whether to distribute the advertising information or not in accordance with the current locations of users' portable terminals. Specifically, the information distribution device distributes the advertising information to portable terminals located within a certain range of the establishment dealing in the advertised products (e.g., within a 10-km radius of the establishment). That is, the area within the certain range of the establishment is set as the distribution area.
• However, when the distribution area covers a wide range, the advertising information is also distributed to portable terminals owned by users who absolutely have nothing to do with the establishment, for example, those who are far away from the establishment. In other words, when the distribution area covers a wide range, advertising information unnecessary to a large number of users is distributed to their portable terminals. As a result, the advertising expenses (communications expenses) borne by the proprietor of the establishment increase. Also, it is very bothersome for the portable terminal users because unnecessary advertising information is distributed to them.
• In order to solve such a problem, there has been proposed an information distribution device that confines the distribution area and distributes advertising information only to users' portable terminals located in the vicinity of the establishment (e.g., within a 500-m radius of the establishment) (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2005-345325, for example). However, contrary to the problem described above, when the distribution area is confined, the advertising information may not be distributed to users who wish to receive the advertising information with their portable terminals. This can result in a reduction of the advertising expenses but the sales of products (profit of the establishment) do not rise more than a certain amount.
• For this reason, there has been proposed an information distribution device that dynamically changes the distribution area in accordance with whether or not portable terminal users have read advertising information distributed to them (see Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-60454, for example). Specifically, the information distribution device expands the distribution area when there are a large number of users who have read the advertising information and narrows the distribution area when there are only a small number of users who have read the advertising information. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the advertising expenses while ensuring the profit of the establishment to be more than a certain amount as compared with the forms with a fixed distribution area.
• However, since the conventional information distribution devices described above each set the area within a certain range of an establishment as the distribution area, problems such as the following occur even if the distribution area is changed dynamically as in the described-above case.
• As an example, it is assumed that an establishment is located on a main line running in an east-west direction. In this case, since portable terminal users on the main line in the east-west direction are accessible to the main line, they are likely to visit the establishment if advertising information regarding the establishment is distributed to their portable terminals. In contrast, users located in the north-south direction with respect to the main line are not accessible to the main line. Thus, they are less likely to visit the establishment even if the advertising information is distributed to their portable terminals.
• For this reason, when the advertising information is distributed to portable terminals located within a certain range of the establishment in a uniform manner as in the conventional information distribution devices described above, the advertising information may be beneficial to the users located on the main line in the east-west direction but be useless to those located in the north-south direction with respect to the main line. In other words, since the area within a certain range of the establishment is set as the distribution area, even if the distribution area is changed dynamically, advertising information unnecessary to a large number of users is distributed to their portable terminals.
SUMMARY
• According to an aspect of the invention, the information distribution device includes: a terminal location retrieving part that retrieves terminal location information indicating current locations of mobile terminals; a notification information recording part in which notification information regarding a predetermined location is pre-recorded; a distribution area recording part in which distribution area information indicating a distribution area formed of a plurality of areas is recorded; an information distribution part that distributes the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within the distribution area; a distribution information recording part, wherein recorded in the distribution information recording part is area information at a time of distribution indicating areas in which the mobile terminals are located when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part to the mobile terminals, and the area information at the time of distribution is recorded for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part; a distribution area evaluation part that calculates, for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the area information at the time of distribution, an area visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information; and a distribution area updating part that updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality areas, those whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than a threshold value.
• The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
• As described above, the information distribution device, the information distribution method and the program of the present invention can reduce the number of distributions of notification information unnecessary to the users of the portable terminals.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a distribution system according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information distribution device of the distribution system.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a case where an area on a map is divided into 16 areas.
• FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in an area management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a terminal location management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in an advertising information management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a distribution area management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a user information management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of advertising information displayed on a display part of a mobile terminal of the distribution system.
• FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating another example of the advertising information displayed on the display part of the mobile terminal.
• FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in an establishment information management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a stay determination time management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a distribution information management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a visit trend management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the distribution system when the information distribution device distributes the advertising information to mobile terminals.
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the information distribution device when determining whether or not the user of the mobile terminal has visited an establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed from the information distribution device.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the information distribution device when it is found that the user of the mobile terminal has not visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the information distribution device when updating distribution area information.
• FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the distribution area and, of areas adjacent to areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by a distribution area evaluation part.
• FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a distribution system according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention.
• FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an information distribution device of the distribution system.
• FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a terminal location management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a distribution management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a distribution information management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in a visit trend management table of the information distribution device.
• FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the distribution system when the information distribution device distributes the advertising information to mobile terminals.
• FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the distribution system when determining whether or not a user of a mobile terminal has visited an establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed by the information distribution device.
• FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of the information distribution device when updating distribution area information and distribution direction information.
• FIG. 29 is a schematic diagram for explaining the relationship between the distribution area and, of areas that are in the vicinity of areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value and are in directions opposite to directions whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by a distribution area evaluation part.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
• According to the information distribution device of the present invention, the distribution area evaluation part calculates, for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the area information at the time of distribution, an area visit evaluation value indicating, of the users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information. Here, the area information at the time of distribution indicates areas in which the mobile terminals are located when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part to the mobile terminals. The distribution area updating part updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality of areas, those whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than a threshold value. In other words, the areas whose area visit probability is less than the threshold value are removed from the distribution area. Thus, the information distribution part can distribute the notification information only to the mobile terminals located within the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. As a result, the information distribution device according to the present invention can reduce the number of distributions of the notification information unnecessary to the users of the mobile terminals.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the information distribution method is executed by a computer including a notification information recording part in which notification information regarding a predetermined location is pre-recorded and a distribution area recording part in which distribution area information indicating a distribution area formed of a plurality of areas is recorded. The information distribution method includes: retrieving, by a terminal location retrieving part included in the computer, terminal location information indicating current locations of mobile terminals; distributing, by an information distribution part included in the computer, the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within the distribution area; calculating, by a distribution area evaluation part included in the computer and for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area, an area visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the notification information is distributed, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information based on area information at a time of distribution indicating areas in which the mobile terminals are located when the notification information is distributed and recorded in a distribution information recording part for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed; and updating, by a distribution area updating part included in the computer, the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality areas, those whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than a threshold value.
• According to an aspect of the invention, the program is a program for causing a computer including a notification information recording part in which notification information regarding a predetermined location is pre-recorded and a distribution area recording part in which distribution area information indicating a distribution area formed of a plurality of areas is recorded to perform processing of retrieving terminal location information indicating current locations of mobile terminals; distributing the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within the distribution area; calculating, for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area, an area visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the notification information is distributed, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information based on area information at a time of distribution indicating areas in which the mobile terminals are located when the notification information is distributed and recorded in a distribution information recording part for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed; and updating the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality areas, those whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than a threshold value. The information distribution method and program of the present invention provide the same effects as those of the information distribution device.
• According to an aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the distribution area updating part updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area also includes, of areas in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit evaluation value is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part.
• Here, it is likely that areas in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value also have an area visit evaluation value equal to or larger than the threshold value. Thus, according to this configuration, the distribution area updating part updates the distribution area information such that the distribution area also includes, of areas in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit evaluation value is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part. Consequently, the information distribution part can distribute the notification information also to the mobile terminals located within, of areas in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit evaluation value is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part.
• According to an aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the information distribution device further includes a terminal direction retrieving part that retrieves terminal direction information indicating directions in which the mobile terminals travel, distribution direction information indicating directions is recorded in the distribution area recording part for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area, the information distribution part distributes the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and traveling in the directions indicated by the distribution direction information, further recorded in the distribution information recording part is terminal direction information at a time of distribution obtained from the terminal direction information and indicating directions in which the mobile terminals travel when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part to the mobile terminals, and the terminal direction information at the time of distribution is recorded for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part, the distribution area evaluation part calculates, for each of a plurality of predetermined directions in each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the terminal direction information at the time of distribution, a direction visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been traveling in any one of the plurality of directions in any one of the plurality of areas when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information, and the distribution area updating part updates the distribution direction information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the notification information is distributed only to the mobile terminals traveling in, of the plurality of directions, those whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value.
• According to this configuration, the notification information is not distributed to the mobile terminals traveling in the directions whose direction visit evaluation value is less than the threshold value even when they are within the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. In other words, the information distribution part can distribute the notification information only to the mobile terminals traveling in the directions whose direction visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value. As a result, the information distribution device further can reduce the number of distributions of the notification information unnecessary to the users of the mobile terminals as compared with the configuration where the notification information is distributed uniformly to the mobile terminals located within the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value. The threshold value of the area visit evaluation value and that of the direction visit evaluation value may be the same or be different from each other.
• According to an aspect of the invention, it is preferable that the distribution area updating part updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area also includes, of areas that are in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value and are in directions opposite to the directions whose visit direction probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit evaluation value is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part.
• Here, areas that are in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value and are in the directions opposite to the directions whose direction evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value are also likely to have an area visit evaluation value equal to or larger than the threshold value. Thus, according to this configuration, the distribution area updating part updates the distribution area information such that the distribution area also includes, of areas that are in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value and are in the directions opposite to the directions whose visit direction probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit evaluation value is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part. Consequently, the information distribution part can distribute the notification information also to the mobile terminals located within the areas that are in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value and are in the directions opposite to the directions whose visit direction probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value.
• Hereinafter, more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of adistribution system1 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, thedistribution system1 according to the present embodiment includesmobile terminals2aand2band aninformation distribution device3. Themobile terminals2aand2band theinformation distribution device3 are connected to each other via a network N. Although themobile terminals2aand2bmay be, for example, mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), PHS (Personal Handy-phone System) terminals, HHTs (Hand Held Terminals) or car navigation systems, it is assumed that they are mobile phones in the present embodiment. Theinformation distribution device3 is a device for distributing, to mobile terminals located within the distribution area, advertising information (notification information) indicating an advertisement for products in which an establishment deals. Here, the establishment may be any of variety establishments, such as a shop, a parking lot, a gas station, a tourist facility, a hospital, a movie theater, a library, a hostel, a golf course, a skiing ground, an amusement park, an art gallery and a museum. The network N may be the Internet, an Ethernet®, a wireless LAN, a mobile phone data communications network or any computer network.
• For simplifying the explanation, two mobile terminals, themobile terminals2aand2b, and one information distribution device, theinformation distribution device3, are illustrated inFIG. 1. However, the number of the mobile terminals and the information distribution device forming thedistribution system1 can be determined freely. Further, other terminal device, a Web server, a proxy server, a DNS (Domain Name System) server, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server, a radio base station device (Node-B), and a radio network controller (RNC) may be present in thedistribution system1.
• In the following description, lowercase English letters have been added to members that have the same functions only when there is a particular need to distinguish one from the other, such asmobile terminal2a, and when there is no particular need for distinguishing one from the other, or when they are referred to collectively, lowercase English letters are not used in the description, such as “mobile terminal2”.
• (Configuration of Mobile Terminals)
• Themobile terminal2aincludes a terminallocation measurement part21, a terminallocation transmission part22, an advertisinginformation reception part23 and adisplay part24. Note that themobile terminal2bhas the same configuration as that of themobile terminal2a.
• Here, the functions of the terminallocation measurement part21, the terminallocation transmission part22, the advertisinginformation reception part23 and thedisplay part24 each are attained by the execution of a predetermined program by an arithmetical unit, such as a CPU of a computer. Therefore, the program for attaining each of the functions on the computer or a recording medium storing the program is also one form of the present invention.
• The terminallocation measurement part21 measures the current location of themobile terminal2a. Specifically, the terminallocation measurement part21 has a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, so that it receives radio waves transmitted from a plurality of geodetic satellites (GPS satellites) and measures the current location of themobile terminal2aon the basis of a relative difference in time between the received radio waves. On the basis of the measurement result, the terminallocation measurement part21 generates terminal location information indicating the current location of themobile terminal2a. The terminallocation measurement part21 outputs the generated terminal location information to the terminallocation transmission part22. The terminal location information includes latitude information and longitude information indicating the current latitude and longitude of themobile terminal2a, respectively.
• Although a description has been given in the above of an example where the terminallocation measurement part21 has a GPS function, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, the terminallocation measurement part21 may retrieve the terminal location information from nearby radio base station devices or wireless LAN access points with which themobile terminal2acan communicate. The terminallocation measurement part21 may also retrieve the terminal location information from road signs or address signs. In other words, as long as the terminallocation measurement part21 can measure the current location of themobile terminal2a, the way to measure the current location of themobile terminal2acan be adopted freely from a variety of ways.
• The terminallocation transmission part22 transmits, via the network N, the terminal location information outputted from the terminallocation measurement part21 to theinformation distribution device3. In the present embodiment, every time the terminal location information is outputted from the terminallocation measurement part21, the terminallocation transmission part22 transmits, via the network N, the terminal location information outputted from the terminallocation measurement part21 to theinformation distribution device3 in real time. The terminallocation transmission part22 may also transmit the terminal location information to theinformation distribution device3 every time themobile terminal2atravels a certain distance or at certain time intervals.
• The advertisinginformation reception part23 receives, via the network N, advertising information distributed from theinformation distribution device3. That is, theinformation distribution device3 distributes the advertising information to themobile terminal2awhen themobile terminal2ais located within the distribution area, and the advertisinginformation reception part23 receives the distributed advertising information. The process of distributing the advertising information performed by theinformation distribution device3 will be described later. The advertisinginformation reception part23 outputs the received advertising information to thedisplay part24.
• Thedisplay part24 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display, an EL display, a plasma display or a CRT display. Thedisplay part24 displays the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation reception part23. One example of the advertising information displayed on thedisplay part24 will be described later.
• (Configuration of Information Distribution Device for Distributing Advertising Information to Mobile Terminals)
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of theinformation distribution device3 according to the present embodiment. Theinformation distribution device3 has the function of distributing the advertising information indicating advertisements for products in which establishments deal. Thus, theinformation distribution device3 includes an area management table31, a terminallocation retrieving part32, a terminal location management table33, a terminallocation updating part34, an advertising information management table35, a distribution area management table36, an advertisinginformation extraction part37, a user information management table38 and aninformation distribution part39. The tables31,33,35,36 and38 each are stored in a management database D of theinformation distribution device3.
• The functions of the terminallocation retrieving part32, the terminallocation updating part34, the advertisinginformation extraction part37 and theinformation distribution part39 each are attained by the execution of a predetermined program by an arithmetical unit, such as a CPU of a computer. Therefore, the program for attaining each of the functions on the computer or a recording medium storing the program is also one form of the present invention. Further, the area management table31, the terminal location management table33, the advertising information management table35, the distribution area management table36 and the user information management table38 are embodied by an internal memory of the computer or a memory to which the computer is accessible.
• In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 3, a description will be given of a case where an area E on a map is divided into 4×4 to form 16 areas (blocks), areas E₁to E₁₆, as an example. As will be described later, to the areas, area ID for uniquely identifying them are assigned. In the present embodiment, the area IDs “M0001” to “M0016” are assigned to the areas E₁to E₁₆, respectively.
• In the area management table31, range information indicating the range of each of the areas is pre-recorded.FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the area management table31. As illustrated inFIG. 4, in the area management table31, area IDs and area ranges are recorded. Here, the area IDs are identification codes for uniquely identifying the areas. In the present embodiment, the area IDs “M0001” to “M0016” are recorded. The area ranges represent the ranges for identifying the areas. For example, the area E₁illustrated inFIG. 3 can be identified by a point P₁at the upper right-hand of the area E₁and a point P₂at the lower left-hand of the area E₁. In other words, in the column “area range”, latitude and longitude information respectively indicating the latitude and longitude of the point P₁and latitude and longitude information respectively indicating the latitude and longitude of the point P₂are recorded.
• The terminallocation retrieving part32 retrieves, via the network N, the terminal location information transmitted from themobile terminals2. The terminallocation retrieving part32 outputs the retrieved terminal location information to the terminallocation updating part34.
• In the terminal location management table33, the terminal location information indicating the current locations of themobile terminals2 is recorded.FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the terminal location management table33. As illustrated inFIG. 5, in the terminal location management table33, mobile terminal IDs, latitude information, longitude information, area IDs and the last update time are recorded. Here, the mobile terminal IDs are identification codes for uniquely identifying themobile terminals2. For example, when themobile terminals2 are IP phones, the mobile terminal IDs are IP (Internet Protocol) addresses or MAC (Media Access Control) addresses. The latitude information indicates the latitude of the current locations of themobile terminals2. The longitude information indicates the longitude of the current locations of themobile terminals2. The area IDs are identification codes for uniquely identifying the areas, and here, they are identification codes indicating the areas in which themobile terminals2 are located. The last update time is the time at which the latitude information, the longitude information and the area IDs are last updated by the terminallocation updating part34.
• The terminallocation updating part34 updates the terminal location information recorded in the terminal location management table33 to the terminal location information outputted from the terminallocation retrieving part32. The terminallocation updating part34 also detects, with reference to the area management table31, the areas in which themobile terminals2 are currently located on the basis of the terminal location information outputted from the terminallocation retrieving part32. The terminallocation updating part34 updates the area IDs recorded in the terminal location management table33 to the area IDs indicating the detected areas. Further, the terminallocation updating part34 writes the time at which the terminal location information and the area IDs are updated in the column “last update time” of the terminal location management table33.
• In the advertising information management table (notification information recording part)35, the advertising information indicating advertisements for products in which establishments deal is pre-recorded.FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the advertising information management table35. As illustrated inFIG. 6, in the advertising information management table35, advertisement IDs, establishment IDs and advertisement texts are recorded. Here, the advertisement IDs are identification codes for uniquely identifying pieces of the advertising information. The establishment IDs are identification codes for uniquely identifying establishments. The advertisement texts represent details of advertisements. The advertising information includes the advertisement IDs, the establishment IDs and the advertisement texts.
• In the distribution area management table (distribution area recording part)36, distribution area information indicating distribution areas to which the advertising information is distributed is recorded.FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the distribution area management table36. As illustrated inFIG. 7, in the distribution area management table36, advertisement IDs and distribution areas are recorded. Here, each of the distribution areas is formed of a plurality of areas. Thus, area IDs assigned to areas where the advertising information is to be distributed are recorded in the column “distribution area”. The distribution area information includes the advertisement ID and the distribution areas.
• Here, in the distribution area management table36, distribution area information indicating initially-set distribution areas is recorded prior to the distribution area information being updated by the distribution area updating part47 (describe later). For example, an initially-set distribution area is formed of an area in which an establishment dealing in products to be advertised is located and eight areas surrounding the establishment-located area.
• When any of themobile terminals2 is located within the distribution area, the advertisinginformation extraction part37 extracts the advertising information from the advertising information management table35. Specifically, first, the advertisinginformation extraction part37 extracts the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36. The advertisinginformation extraction part37 also extracts the area ID recorded in the terminal location management table33. The advertisinginformation extraction part37 determines whether or not the area indicated by the extracted area ID is included in the distribution area indicated by the distribution area information. When it is found that the area indicated by the extracted area ID is included in the distribution area indicated by the distribution area information, the advertisinginformation extraction part37 extracts the advertising information from the advertising information management table35 on the basis of the advertisement ID indicated by the distribution area information. The advertisinginformation extraction part37 outputs the extracted advertising information to theinformation distribution part39.
• In the user information management table38, information on the users of themobile terminals2 is recorded.FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the user information management table38. As illustrated inFIG. 8, in the user information management table38, mobile terminal IDs, user names and e-mail addresses are recorded. Here, the user names are the names of the users. The e-mail addresses are e-mail addresses of themobile terminals2. The mobile terminal IDs, the user names and the e-mail addresses recorded in the user information management table38 are preset by the administrator of theinformation distribution device3.
• Theinformation distribution part39 distributes the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation extraction part37 to the mobile terminals located within the distribution area.
• Specifically, first, theinformation distribution part39 determines whether or not the advertisement ID indicated by the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation extraction part37 and the mobile terminal ID assigned to themobile terminal2 to which the advertising information is to be distributed are recorded in the same record of the distribution information management table43 (described later) (seeFIG. 13). When it is found that the advertisement ID and the mobile terminal ID are recorded in the same record of the distribution information management table43, theinformation distribution part39 determines that the advertising information has already been distributed to themobile terminal2. In this case, theinformation distribution part39 does not distribute the advertising information to themobile terminal2.
• On the other hand, when it is found that the advertisement ID and the mobile terminal ID are not recorded in the same record of the distribution information management table43, theinformation distribution part39 determines that the advertising information is yet to be distributed to themobile terminal2. In this case, theinformation distribution part39 extracts the e-mail address recorded in the user information management table38 on the basis of the mobile terminal ID. Theinformation distribution part39 distributes the advertising information to themobile terminal2 on the basis of the extracted e-mail address. Then, theinformation distribution part39 writes the advertisement ID and the mobile terminal ID in the distribution information management table43. Theinformation distribution part39 also writes, in the distribution information management table43, the terminal location information indicating the location of themobile terminal2 when the advertising information is distributed to themobile terminal2 as terminal location information at the time of distribution. Further, theinformation distribution part39 writes, in the distribution information management table43, the area ID indicating the area in which themobile terminal2 is located when the advertising information is distributed to the mobile terminal as the area ID at the time of distribution. Further, theinformation distribution part39 writes the time at which the advertising information is distributed to themobile terminal2 in the distribution information management table43.
• As an example, it is assumed that theinformation distribution part39 distributes the advertising information regarding a convenience store with the establishment name “AAA” (establishment ID “C0001”) to themobile terminal2a.FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of the advertising information to be displayed on thedisplay part24 of themobile terminal2a. As illustrated inFIG. 9, From “info@example.co.jp”, To “a001@example.ne.jp” and Subject “From convenience store ‘AAA’” are displayed on thedisplay part24. The e-mail address listed on the From section is the e-mail address of theinformation distribution device3 as a sender. The e-mail address listed on the To section is the e-mail address of themobile terminal2aas a receiver. The advertising information “Please stop by at convenience store ‘AAA.’ Sandwiches are now onsale 10% off.” is also displayed on thedisplay part24.
• As another example, it is assumed that theinformation distribution part39 distributes the advertising information regarding a gas station with the establishment name “CCC” (establishment ID “G0001”) to themobile terminal2a.FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram illustrating one example of the advertising information to be displayed on thedisplay part24 of themobile terminal2a. As illustrated inFIG. 10, From “info@example.co.jp”, To “a001@example.ne.jp” and Subject “From gas station ‘CCC’” are displayed on thedisplay part24. The advertising information “Please stop by at gas station ‘CCC’ and save ¥2 on regular gasoline today” is also displayed on thedisplay part24.
• (Configuration of Information Distribution Device for Updating Distribution Area Information)
• Theinformation distribution device3 further has the function of calculating an area visit probability for each of a plurality of areas forming a distribution area and updating the distribution area information on the basis of the calculated area visit probabilities. Thus, theinformation distribution device3 further includes an establishment information management table40, an establishmentinformation extraction part41, a stay determination time management table42, a distribution information management table43, avisit determination part44, a distributionarea evaluation part45, a visit trend management table46 and a distributionarea updating part47. The tables40,42,43 and46 each are stored in the management database D of theinformation distribution device3.
• The functions of the establishmentinformation extraction part41, thevisit determination part44, the distributionarea evaluation part45 and the distributionarea updating part47 each are attained by the execution of a predetermined program by an arithmetical unit, such as a CPU of a computer. Therefore, the program for attaining each of the functions on the computer or a recording medium storing the program is also one form of the present invention. Further, the establishment information management table40, the stay determination time management table42, the distribution information management table43 and the visit trend management table46 are embodied by an internal memory of the computer or a memory to which the computer is accessible.
• In the establishment information management table40, establishment information for identifying establishments, and establishment location information indicating the location ranges of establishments are recorded.FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the establishment information management table40. As illustrated inFIG. 11, in the establishment information management table40, establishment IDs, establishment type IDs, establishment names, latitude information, longitude information, location ranges of establishments and establishment addresses are recorded. Here, the establishment IDs are identification codes for uniquely identifying establishments. The establishment type IDs are identification codes for uniquely identifying the types of establishments. The establishment names are the names of establishments. The latitude information indicates the latitude of the locations of establishments. The longitude information indicates the longitude of the locations of establishments. The location ranges of establishments each indicate the radius of an establishment about the center of the establishment represented by the latitude information and the longitude information. In the present embodiment, each location range of an establishment is expressed in meters (m). Here, as the location range of an establishment, the radius including the entire building of the establishment is set, for example. The establishment addresses indicate the addresses of establishments. The establishment information includes the establishment IDs, the establishment type IDs and the establishment names. Further, the establishment location information includes the latitude information, the longitude information and the location ranges of establishments.
• When the current location of any of themobile terminals2 indicates that it is within the location range of an establishment, the establishmentinformation extraction part41 extracts the establishment information indicating the establishment from the establishment information management table40. Specifically, first, the establishmentinformation extraction part41 extracts the terminal location information recorded in the terminal location management table33. Then, the establishmentinformation extraction part41 determines whether or not the current location of themobile terminal2 indicated by the extracted terminal location information indicates that it is within the location range of the establishment indicated by the establishment location information. When it is found that the current location of themobile terminal2 indicates that it is within the location range of the establishment, the establishmentinformation extraction part41 extracts the establishment information indicating the establishment from the establishment information management table40. The establishmentinformation extraction part41 outputs the extracted establishment information, together with the terminal location information, to thevisit determination part44.
• Recorded in the stay determination time management table42 is stay determination time, which is a basis for determining whether or not any of the users of themobile terminals2 stays at the establishment indicated by the establishment information extracted by the establishmentinformation extraction part41.FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the stay determination time management table42. As illustrated inFIG. 12, in the stay determination time management table42, establishment type IDs, establishment type names and stay determination time are recorded. Here, the establishment type names are the names of establishment types. In the present embodiment, the establishment type names convenience store, gas station and parking lot are recorded. The stay determination time is recorded for each of the establishment types and is a basis for determining whether or not any the users of themobile terminals2 stays at the establishment. In the present embodiment, the stay determination time is expressed in seconds.
• Although a description has been given in the above of an example where the stay determination time corresponding to each of the establishment types is recorded in the stay determination time management table42, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, stay determination time corresponding to each establishment may be recorded in the stay determination time management table42.
• In the distribution information management table (distribution information recording part)43, the terminal location information at the time of distribution, the area information at the time of distribution and visit information are recorded. The terminal location information at the time of distribution indicates the locations of themobile terminals2 when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part39 to themobile terminals2. The area information at the time of distribution indicates the areas in which themobile terminals2 are located when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part39 to themobile terminals2. The visit information indicates whether or not the users of themobile terminals2 have visited an establishment.FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the distribution information management table43. As illustrated inFIG. 13, in the distribution information management table43, advertisement IDs, mobile terminal IDs, latitude information at the time of distribution, longitude information at the time of distribution, area IDs at the time of distribution, distribution time and the presence or absence of visits are recorded.
• Here, the latitude information at the time of distribution indicates the latitude of the locations of themobile terminals2 when the advertising information is distributed to themobile terminals2. The longitude information at the time of distribution indicates the longitude of the locations of themobile terminals2 when the advertising information is distributed to themobile terminals2. The area IDs at the time of distribution are identification codes that indicate the areas in which themobile terminals2 are located when the advertising information is distributed to themobile terminals2. The distribution time is the time at which the advertising information is distributed to themobile terminals2. The presence or absence of visits indicates whether or not the users of themobile terminals2 have visited the establishment. In the present embodiment, when the user of themobile terminal2 has visited the establishment, “true” is recorded in the column “presence or absence of visits”. On the other hand, when the user of themobile terminal2 has not visited the establishment, “false” is recorded in the column “presence or absence of visits.” The terminal location information at the time of distribution includes the latitude information at the time of distribution and the longitude information at the time of distribution. The area information at the time of distribution includes the area IDs at the time of distribution. Further, the visit information includes the presence or absence of visits.
• When the current location of themobile terminal2 indicted by the terminal location information indicates that it has been within the location range of the establishment indicated by the establishment location information for a duration equal to or longer than the stay determination time, thevisit determination part44 determines that the user of themobile terminal2 has visited the establishment indicated by the establishment information extracted by the establishmentinformation extraction part41.
• Specifically, on the basis of the establishment ID indicated by the establishment information outputted from the establishmentinformation extraction part41, thevisit determination part44 extracts the establishment location information recorded in the establishment information management table40. Also, thevisit determination part44 extracts the stay determination time recorded in the stay determination time management table42 on the basis of the establishment type ID indicated by the establishment information outputted from the establishmentinformation extraction part41. Thevisit determination part44 determines whether or not the current location of themobile terminal2 indicates that it has been within the location range of the establishment for a duration equal to or longer than the stay determination time by counting (measuring), with a timer, the duration from the point at which the current location of themobile terminal2 indicated by the terminal location information first indicated its presence within the location range of the establishment indicated by the establishment location information. The result of the count by the timer is recorded in a memory (not shown) of theinformation distribution device3.
• When it is found that the current location of themobile terminal2 indicates that it has been within the location range of the establishment for a duration equal to or longer than the stay determination time, thevisit determination part44 determines that the user of themobile terminal2 has visited (stayed at) the establishment indicated by the establishment information extracted by the establishmentinformation extraction part41. In this case, thevisit determination part44 writes in the distribution information management table43 “true” indicating that the user of themobile terminal2 has visited the establishment. In other words, thevisit determination part42 does not write “true” in the distribution information management table43 when, for example, the user of themobile terminal2 does not stay at the establishment but just passes by.
• Thevisit determination part44 extracts a record in the distribution information management table43 at predetermined intervals. When the presence or absence of visits of the extracted record is not “true”, thevisit determination part44 compares the distribution time of the extracted record and the current time and determines that the user of themobile terminal2 has not visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information when their difference is equal to or larger than a set time. That is, when certain time has elapsed since the distribution of the advertising information to themobile terminal2, thevisit determination part44 determines that the user of themobile terminal2 has not visited the establishment indicated by the advertisement information if the presence or absence of visits of the extracted record is not “true.” In this case, thevisit determination part44 writes in the distribution information management table43 “false” indicating that the user of themobile terminal2 has not visited the establishment.
• Before thevisit determination part44 writes either “true” or “false” in the column “presence or absence of visits” of the distribution information management table43, “unknown” is recorded as a default in the column “presence or absence of visits” of the distribution information management table43.
• The distributionarea evaluation part45 calculates, for each of a plurality of areas forming a distribution area, an area visit probability (area visit evaluation value) indicating, of the users of themobile terminals2 who have been within any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part39, a percentage of those who have visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed to themobile terminals2. Specifically, first, the distributionarea evaluation part45 extracts, from the distribution information management table43, the area information at the time of distribution and the visit information both correlated to the same advertisement ID. Subsequently, the distributionarea evaluation part45 calculates, for each of the area IDs indicated by the area information at the time of distribution, a total of distributions of the advertising information (the number of distributions of advertisements) to themobile terminals2 located within each of the areas with the area IDs. In other words, regardless of the presence or absence of visits indicated by the visit information, the distributionarea evaluation part45 calculates, for each of the plurality areas forming the distribution area, a total of distributions of the advertising information to themobile terminals2 located within each of the areas (the number of distributions of advertisements). Also, on the basis of the presence or absence of visits indicated by the visit information, the distributionarea evaluation part45 calculates, of the calculated number of distributions of advertisements, the number of users of themobile terminals2 who have actually visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information (the number of visits). Further, the distributionarea evaluation part45 calculates the area visit probability by dividing the calculated number of distributions of advertisements by the calculated number of visits. The distributionarea evaluation part45 correlates the calculated number of distributions of advertisements, the number of visits and the area visit probability to the advertisement ID and the area ID and writes them in the distribution trend management table46.
• In this way, the distributionarea evaluation part45 extracts the area information at the time of distribution and the visit information on an advertisement ID basis from the distribution information management table43, and writes, sequentially in the distribution trend management table46, the number of distributions of advertisements, the number of visits and the area visit probability calculated on the basis of the extracted area information at the time of distribution and visit information. Here, the number of distributions of advertisements, the number of visits and the area visit probabilities form visit trend information.
• In the visit trend management table46, the visit trend information written by the distributionarea evaluation part45 is recorded.FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the visit trend management table46. As illustrated inFIG. 14, in the visit trend management table46, advertisement IDs, area IDs, the number of distributions of advertisements, the number of visits and the area visit probabilities are recorded. For example, the visit trend management table46 illustrated inFIG. 14 provides that a total of distributions of the advertising information with the advertisement ID “A0001” (the number of distributions of advertisements) to themobile terminals2 located within an area with the area ID “M0002” is “120” and of the “120” users of themobile terminals2 who have received the advertisement the number of those who have actually visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information with the advertisement ID “A0001” is “30” (the number of visits). That is, as illustrated inFIG. 14, the area visit probability in this case can be expressed as follows; the number of visits “30”/the number of distributions of advertisements “120”=25.0%.
• The distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area only includes the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value. The threshold value of the area visit probability is pre-recorded in the memory (not illustrated) of theinformation distribution device3.
• Hereinafter, one example of specific processing performed by the distributionarea updating part47 will be described.
• As illustrated inFIG. 7, it is assumed that, as an example, “M0002”, “M0003”, “M0004”, “M0006”, “M0007”, “M0008”, “M0010”, “M0011” and “M0012” are recorded in the distribution area management table36 as the distribution area for the advertisement ID “A0001”. In this case, it is assumed that the area visit probabilities of “M0002”, “M0003”, “M0004”, “M0006”, “M0007”, “M0008”, “M0010”, “M0011” and “M0012” recorded in the visit trend management table46 are “25.0%”, “40.0%”, “50.0%”, “10.0%”, “65.5%”, “0.0%”, “35.0%”, “60.0%” and “10.0%”, respectively. Also, it is assumed that the threshold value is “30.0%.”
• In such a case, the distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area only includes the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value (30.0%). In other words, the distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area only includes the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value (30.0%), in short, the areas “M0003”, “M0004”, “M0007”, “M0010”, and “M0011”. As a result, “M0003”, “M0004”, “M0007”, “M0010”, and “M0011” are newly recorded (updated) in the distribution area management table36 as the distribution area for the advertisement ID “A0001”. Thus, theinformation distribution part39 can distribute the advertising information only to themobile terminals2 located within the areas “M0003”, “M0004”, “M0007”, “M0010”, and “M0011.”
• Although a description has been given in the above of an example where the uniform threshold value is set for each area visit probability, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the threshold value of the area visit probability may be set on an advertisement or establishment type basis.
• Further, themembers31 to47 forming theinformation distribution device3 may be placed together in a single device or may be dispersed and placed in a plurality of devices. For example, when themobile terminals2 are navigation devices mountable on a mobile unit, such as a vehicle, such members as the establishment information management table40, the establishmentinformation extraction part41, the stay determination time management table42 and thevisit determination part44 included in theinformation distribution device3 may be included in themobile terminals2.
• (Exemplary Operations of Distribution System)
• Next, the operations of thedistribution system1 according to the configuration described above will be described with reference toFIGS. 15 to 18.
• FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of thedistribution system1 when theinformation distribution device3 distributes the advertising information to themobile terminal2. As illustrated inFIG. 15, first, when the current location of themobile terminal2 changes (YES at Op1), the terminallocation measurement part21 generates terminal location information indicating the current location of themobile terminal2, and outputs the generated terminal location information to the terminallocation transmission part22. The terminallocation transmission part22 transmits, via the network N, the terminal location information outputted from the terminallocation measurement part21 to the information distribution device3 (Op2). On the other hand, when there is no change in the current location of the mobile terminal2 (No at Op1), the determination process at Op1 is repeated.
• Next, the terminallocation retrieving part32 of theinformation distribution device3 retrieves, via the network N, the terminal location information transmitted at Op2 (Op3). The terminallocation updating part34 updates the terminal location information recorded in the terminal location management table33 to the terminal location information retrieved at Op3 (Op4). Then, the terminallocation updating part34 detects, with reference to the area management table31, the area in which themobile terminal2 is located on the basis of the terminal location information retrieved at Op3 (Op5). The terminallocation updating part34 updates the area ID recorded in the terminal location management table33 to the area ID indicating the area detected at Op5 (Op6).
• Subsequently, the advertisinginformation extraction part37 determines whether or not themobile terminal2 is located within the distribution area (Op7). When it is found that themobile terminal2 is located within the distribution area (YES at Op7), the advertisinginformation extraction part37 extracts the advertising information from the advertising information management table35 on the basis of the advertisement ID indicated by the distribution area information (Op8). On the other hand, when the advertisinginformation extraction part37 determines that themobile terminal2 is not located within the distribution area (No at Op7), the processing ofFIG. 15 is ended.
• And then, theinformation distribution part39 determines whether or not the advertising information extracted at Op8 has already been distributed to the mobile terminal2 (Op9). When theinformation distribution part39 determines that the advertising information extracted at Op8 has already been distributed to the mobile terminal2 (YES at Op9), the processing ofFIG. 15 is ended. On the other hand, when it is found that the advertising information extracted at Op8 is yet to be distributed to the mobile terminal2 (NO at Op9), theinformation distribution part39 distributes the advertising information to the mobile terminal2 (Op10). As a result, the advertising information distributed at Op10 is displayed on thedisplay part24 of themobile terminal2, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 9 or10.
• Then, theinformation distribution part39 writes, in the distribution information management table43, the advertisement ID, the mobile terminal ID, the terminal location information at the time of distribution, the area ID at the time of distribution and the distribution time (Op11).
• FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of theinformation distribution device3 when determining whether or not the user of themobile terminal2 has visited an establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed by theinformation distribution device3. As illustrated inFIG. 16, the establishmentinformation extraction part41 determines whether or not the current location of themobile terminal2 indicated by the terminal location information recorded in the terminal location management table33 indicates that it is within the location range of an establishment indicated by the establishment location information recorded in the establishment information management table40 (Op12). When it is found that the current location of themobile terminal2 indicates that it is within the location range of the establishment (YES at Op12), the establishmentinformation extraction part41 extracts, from the establishment information management table40, the establishment information indicating the establishment (Op13). On the other hand, when the establishmentinformation extraction part41 determines that the current location of themobile terminal2 does not indicate that it is within the location range of the establishment (No at Op12), the processing ofFIG. 16 is ended.
• And then, thevisit determination part44 determines whether or not the current location of themobile terminal2 indicates that it has been within the location range of the establishment for a duration equal to or longer than the stay determination time (Op14). When it is found that the current location of themobile terminal2 indicates that it has been within the location range of the establishment for a duration equal to or longer than the stay determination time (YES at Op14), thevisit determination part44 determines that the user of themobile terminal2 has visited the establishment indicated by the establishment information extracted at Op13. In this case, thevisit determination part44 writes, in the distribution information management table43, “true” indicating that the user of themobile terminal2 has visited the establishment (Op15). On the other hand, when thevisit determination part44 determines that the current location of themobile terminal2 does not indicate that it has been within the location range of the establishment for a duration equal to or longer than the stay determination time (NO at Op14), the processing ofFIG. 16 is ended.
• FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of theinformation distribution device3 when it is found that the user of themobile terminal2 has not visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information. As illustrated inFIG. 17, first, thevisit determination part44 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (Op16). When it is found that the predetermined time has elapsed (YES at Op16), thevisit determination part44 extracts the top record in the distribution information management table43 (Op17). On the other hand, when it is found that the predetermined time has not elapsed (NO at Op16), thevisit determination part43 repeats the determination process of Op16. The predetermined time is pre-recorded in the memory (not illustrated) of theinformation distribution device3.
• Then, thevisit determination part44 determines whether or not the presence or absence of visits of the record extracted at Op17 is “true” (Op18). When it is found that the presence or absence of visits of the extracted record is not “true” (NO at Op18), thevisit determination part44 determines whether or not the difference between the distribution time of the extracted record and the current time is equal to or larger than a set time (Op19). On the other hand, when thevisit determination part44 determines that the presence or absence of visits of the extracted record is “true” (YES at Op18), the processing advances to Op21. The set time is pre-recorded in the memory (not illustrated) of theinformation distribution device3.
• Subsequently, when it is found that the difference between the distribution time of the extracted record and the current time is equal to or larger than the set time (YES at Op19), thevisit determination part44 determines that the user of themobile terminal2 has not visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information and writes, in the distribution information management table43, “false” indicating that the user of themobile terminal2 has not visited the establishment (Op20). On the other hand, when thevisit determination part44 determines that the difference between the distribution time of the extracted record and the current time is less than the set time (NO at Op19), the processing advances to Op21.
• And then, thevisit determination part44 determines whether or not the next record is recorded in the distribution information management table43 (Op21). When it is found that the next record is recorded in the distribution information management table43 (YES at Op21), the processing returns to Op17 and thevisit determination part44 extracts the next record in the distribution information management table43. On the other hand, when thevisit determination part44 determines that the next record is not recorded in the distribution information management table43 (NO at Op21), the processing ofFIG. 17 is ended.
• FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of theinformation distribution device3 when updating the distribution area information. As illustrated inFIG. 18, the distributionarea evaluation part45 calculates, for each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area, an area visit probability indicating, of the users of themobile terminals2 who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part39, a percentage of those have who visited an establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed to the mobile terminals2 (Op22). The distributionarea evaluation part45 writes the area visit probabilities calculated at Op22 in the visit trend management table46 (Op23).
• Then, the distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area only includes the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value (Op24). As a result, theinformation distribution part39 can distribute the advertising information to the mobile terminals located within the distribution area indicated by the distribution area information updated at Op24.
• As described above, according to thedistribution system1 of the present embodiment, the distributionarea evaluation part45 calculates, for each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the area information at the time of distribution, an area visit probability indicating, of the users of themobile terminals2 who have been within any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part39, a percentage of those who have visited a location indicated by the advertising information distributed to themobile terminals2. The distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area only includes the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. In other words, the areas whose area visit probability is less than the threshold value are removed from the distribution area. Thus, theinformation distribution part39 can distribute the advertising information only to the mobile terminals located within the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. As a result, theinformation distribution device3 according to the present embodiment can reduce the number of distributions of the advertisement information unnecessary to the users of themobile terminals2. Consequently, the advertising expenses (communications expenses) borne by the proprietors of establishments can be reduced while ensuring the profits of the establishments to be more than a certain amount.
• Note that the embodiment described above is one specific example of embodiments of the present invention and a variety of modifications can be made. Hereinafter, a major modified example will be described.
Modified Example
• In the embodiment described above, a description has been given of an example where the distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area only includes the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. However, it is highly likely that, of areas adjacent to the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part45 (i.e., unevaluated areas) also have an area visit probability equal to or larger than the threshold value. Thus, in addition to the functions of the distributionarea updating part47 according to the above-described embodiment, the distributionarea updating part47 according to this modified example has the following function. That is, the distributionarea updating part47 according to this modified example updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area also includes, of areas adjacent to the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distributionarea evaluation part45.
• As illustrated inFIG. 19, it is assumed that, as an example, nine areas, areas E₂, E₃, E₄, E₆, E₇, E₈, E₁₀, E₁₁and E₁₂, form a distribution area H. In this case, it is assumed that the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value are three areas, the areas E₇, E₁₀and E₁₁. Thus, of areas adjacent to the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distributionarea evaluation part45 are three areas, the areas E₉, E₁₄and E₁₅.
• In such a case, the distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table36 such that the distribution area only includes six areas, the areas E₇, E₉, E₁₀, E₁₁, E₁₄and E₁₅. Consequently, theinformation distribution part39 can also distribute the advertising information to themobile terminals2 located within, of areas adjacent to the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distributionarea evaluation part45.
• In other words, the distribution area in the above-described embodiment is narrowed every time the distribution area information is updated but the distribution area in this modified example can be maintained to cover a constant range even if the distribution area information is updated.
• Although a description has been given in the above of an example where the distributionarea updating part47 updates the distribution area information such that the distribution area also includes, of areas adjacent to the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distributionarea evaluation part45, the present invention is not limited to this example. In other words, areas to be included in the distribution area are not only limited to those adjacent to the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value but also those in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or higher than the threshold value. That is, the distributionarea updating part47 may update the distribution area information such that the distribution area also includes, of areas in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distributionarea evaluation part45.
Embodiment 2
• InEmbodiment 1, a description has been given of an example where an area visit probability is calculated for each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area and the advertising information is distributed only to the mobile terminals located within the areas whose calculated area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. However, even for the area whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value, it is conceivable that the visit probability varies depending on whether or not users of mobile terminals are traveling in the direction in which the establishment is located (or driving in the direction of the road heading to the establishment). In other words, when the advertising information is distributed to users of mobile terminals who are within the distribution area and are traveling in the direction in which the establishment is located, they are likely to visit the establishment. On the other hand, when the advertising information is distributed to users of mobile terminals who are within the distribution area but are traveling in the opposite direction to the establishment, they are less likely to visit the establishment. Thus, the advertising information may be beneficial to the users traveling in the direction in which the establishment is located but be useless to those traveling in the opposite direction to the establishment. For this reason, in the present embodiment, a description will be given of an example where whether to distribute the advertising information or not is determined in accordance with the directions in which the mobile terminals are traveling even when they are located within the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value.
• FIG. 20 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of adistribution system10 according to the present embodiment. More specifically, thedistribution system10 according to the present embodiment includesmobile terminals5aand5band aninformation distribution device6. Themobile terminals5aand5band theinformation distribution device6 are connected to each other via the network N. Although themobile terminals5aand5bmay be, for example, mobile phones, PDAs, PHS terminals, HHTs or car navigation systems, it is assumed that they are car navigation systems in the present embodiment. Thus, the mobile terminals5 according to the present embodiment each are mounted on a mobile unit C, such as a vehicle. Theinformation distribution device6 is a device for distributing advertising information (notification information) to the mobile terminals5 located within the distribution area. The network N may be the Internet, an Ethernet®, a wireless LAN, a mobile phone data communications network or any computer network.
• (Configuration of Mobile Terminals)
• Themobile terminal5aincludes a terminallocation measurement part51, a terminallocation transmission part52, a terminaldirection measurement part53, a terminaldirection transmission part54, an advertisinginformation reception part55, avoice output part56, an establishment information management table57, a setinformation detection part58, avisit determination part59 and a visitinformation transmission part60. Note that themobile terminal5balso has the same configuration as that of themobile terminal5a.
• Here, the functions of the terminallocation measurement part51, the terminallocation transmission part52, the terminaldirection measurement part53, the terminaldirection transmission part54, the advertisinginformation reception part55, thevoice output part56, the setinformation detection part58, thevisit determination part59 and the visitinformation transmission part60 each are attained by the execution of a predetermined program by an arithmetical unit, such as a CPU of a computer. Therefore, the program for attaining each of the functions on the computer or a recording medium storing the program is also one form of the present invention. Further, the establishment information management table57 is embodied by an internal memory of the computer or a memory to which the computer is accessible.
• The terminallocation measurement part51 has the same function as that of the terminallocation measurement part21 illustrated inFIG. 1. That is, the terminallocation measurement part51 measures the current location of themobile terminal5a.
• The terminallocation transmission part52 has the same function as that of the terminallocation transmission part22 illustrated inFIG. 1. That is, the terminallocation transmission part52 transmits, via the network N, terminal location information measured by the terminallocation measurement part51 to theinformation distribution device6.
• The terminaldirection measurement part53 measures the direction in which themobile terminal5atravels on the basis of the terminal location information measured by the terminallocation measurement part51. Although eight directions, north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west and northwest, are used in the present embodiment, the directions to be used are not limited to these and may be determined freely. That is, the number of the directions may be 16, 24 or even 4. On the basis of the measurement result, the terminaldirection measurement part53 generates terminal direction information indicating the direction in which themobile terminal5atravels. The terminaldirection measurement part53 outputs the generated terminal direction information to the terminaldirection transmission part54.
• The terminaldirection transmission part54 transmits, via the network N, the terminal direction information outputted from the terminaldirection measurement part53 to theinformation distribution device6.
• The advertisinginformation reception part55 has the same function as that of the advertisinginformation reception part23 illustrated inFIG. 1. That is, the advertisinginformation reception part55 receives, via the network N, the advertising information distributed from theinformation distribution device6. The advertisinginformation reception part55 outputs the received advertising information to thevoice output part56 and thevisit determination part59.
• Thevoice output part56 outputs the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation reception part55 in voice. Thus, thevoice output part56 has a voice synthesizing function. Because the advertising information is outputted by thevoice output part56 in voice, the user can check the advertising information in a so-called eyes-free manner (without using eyes) even when the user is in the middle of driving the mobile unit C.
• In the establishment information management table57, establishment information for identifying establishments and establishment location information indicating the location ranges of establishments are recorded. Data recorded in the establishment information management table57 is the same as the data recorded in the establishment information management table40 illustrated inFIG. 11.
• When the user of themobile terminal5asets a desired establishment as the destination or a stopping point to attain navigation, the setinformation detection part58 detects the set establishment as set information. The setinformation detection part58 extracts establishment information from the establishment information management table57 on the basis of the detected set information. The setinformation detection part58 outputs the extracted establishment information to thevisit determination part59.
• When the user of themobile terminal5awho has received the advertising information sets an establishment indicated by the advertising information as the destination or a stopping point, thevisit determination part59 determines that the user of themobile terminal5ahas visited the establishment.
• Specifically, thevisit determination part59 determines whether or not the establishment ID indicated by the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation reception part55 and the establishment ID indicated by the establishment information outputted from the setinformation detection part58 coincide with each other. When it is found that the establishment ID indicated by the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation reception part55 and the establishment ID indicated by the establishment information outputted from the setinformation detection part58 coincide with each other, thevisit determination part59 determines that the user of themobile terminal5ahas visited the establishment indicated by the establishment information outputted from the advertisinginformation reception part55. In this case, thevisit determination part59 outputs, to the visitinformation transmission part60, visit information indicating that the user of themobile terminal5ahas visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information.
• The visitinformation transmission part60 transmits, via the network N, the visit information outputted from thevisit determination part59 to theinformation distribution device6.
• (Configuration of Information Distribution Device for Distributing Advertising Information to Mobile Terminals)
• FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of theinformation distribution device6 according to the present embodiment. Here, theinformation distribution device6 has the function of distributing the advertising information indicating advertisements for products in which establishments deal to the mobile terminals5. Thus, theinformation distribution device6 includes an area management table61, a terminallocation retrieving part62, a terminaldirection retrieving part63, a terminal location management table64, a terminallocation updating part65, an advertising information management table66, a distribution area management table67, an advertisinginformation extraction part68, a user information management table69 and aninformation distribution part70. The tables61,64,66,67 and69 each are stored in a management database D of theinformation distribution device6.
• Here, the functions of the terminallocation retrieving part62, the terminaldirection retrieving part63, the terminallocation updating part65, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 and theinformation distribution part70 each are attained by the execution of a predetermined program by an arithmetical unit, such as a CPU of a computer. Therefore, the program for attaining each of the functions on the computer or a recording medium storing the program is also one form of the present invention. Further, the area management table61, the terminal location management table64, the advertising information management table66, the distribution area management table67 and the user information management table69 are embodied by an internal memory of the computer or a memory to which the computer is accessible.
• In the area management table61, range information indicating the range of each of the areas is pre-recorded. Data recorded in the area management table61 is the same as the data recorded in the area management table31 illustrated inFIG. 4.
• The terminallocation retrieving part62 has the same function as that of the terminallocation retrieving part32 illustrated inFIG. 1. That is, the terminallocation retrieving part62 retrieves, via the network N, the terminal location information transmitted from the mobile terminals5.
• The terminaldirection retrieving part63 retrieves, via the network N, the terminal direction information transmitted from the mobile terminals5. The terminaldirection retrieving part63 outputs the retrieved terminal direction information to the terminallocation updating part65.
• In the terminal location management table64, the terminal location information indicating the current locations of the mobile terminals5, and the terminal direction information indicating the directions in which the mobile terminals5 travel are recorded.FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the terminal location management table64. As illustrated inFIG. 22, in the terminal location management table64, mobile terminal IDs, latitude information, longitude information, traveling directions, area IDs and the last update time are recorded. Here, the traveling directions indicate the directions in which the mobile terminals5 currently travel. The terminal direction information includes the traveling directions.
• The terminallocation updating part65 updates the terminal location information recorded in the terminal location management table64 to the terminal location information outputted from the terminallocation retrieving part62. Also, the terminallocation updating part65 updates the terminal direction information recorded in the terminal location management table64 to the terminal direction information outputted from the terminaldirection retrieving part63. Further, the terminallocation updating part65 detects, with reference to the area management table61, the areas in which the mobile terminals5 are located on the basis of the terminal location information outputted from the terminallocation retrieving part62. The terminallocation updating part65 updates the area IDs recorded in the terminal location management table64 to the area IDs indicated by the detected areas. Further, the terminallocation updating part65 writes the time at which the terminal location information, the terminal direction information and the area IDs are updated in the column “last update time” of the terminal location management table64.
• In the advertising information management table (notification information recording part)66, the advertising information indicating advertisements for products in which establishments deal is pre-recorded. Data recorded in the advertising information management table66 is the same as the data recorded in the advertising information management table35 illustrated inFIG. 6.
• In the distribution area management table (distribution area recording part)67, distribution area information indicating distribution areas to which the advertising information is to be distributed and distribution direction information indicating the distribution directions are recorded.FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the distribution area management table67. As illustrated inFIG. 23, in the distribution area management table67, advertisement IDs, distribution areas and distribution directions are recorded. Here the distribution directions are recorded for each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area. In the distribution area management table67 illustrated inFIG. 23, eight directions, north, northeast, east, southeast, south, southwest, west and northwest, are recorded for each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area. The distribution area information includes the advertisement IDs and the distribution areas. The distribution direction information includes the distribution directions.
• When any of the mobile terminals5 is located within any of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area and is traveling in any of the distribution directions indicated by the distribution direction information in any of the areas, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 extracts the advertising information from the advertising information management table66. Specifically, first, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 extracts the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table67. The advertisinginformation extraction part68 also extracts the area ID recorded in the terminal location management table64. Then, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 determines whether or not the area indicated by the extracted area ID is included in the distribution area indicated by the distribution area information. When it is found that the area indicated by the extracted area ID is included in the distribution area indicated by the distribution area information, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 further carries out the next process.
• That is, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 extracts the distribution direction information recorded in the distribution area management table67. The advertisinginformation extraction part68 also extracts the terminal direction information recorded in the terminal direction management table64. Then, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 determines whether or not the traveling direction of the mobile terminal5 indicated by the extracted terminal direction information coincide with any of the distribution directions indicated by the distribution direction information. When it is found that the traveling direction of the mobile terminal5 indicated by the extracted terminal direction information coincide with any of the distribution directions indicated by the distribution direction information, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 extracts the advertising information from the advertising information management table66 on the basis of the advertisement ID indicted by the distribution area information. The advertisinginformation extraction part68 outputs the extracted advertising information to theinformation distribution part70.
• In the user information management table69, information on the users of the mobile terminals5 is recorded. Data recorded in the user information management table69 is the same as the data recorded in the user information management table38 illustrated inFIG. 8.
• To the mobile terminals5 located within any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and traveling in the distribution directions indicated by the distribution direction information in any of the areas, theinformation distribution part70 distributes the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation extraction part68.
• As an example, it is assumed that theinformation distribution part70 distributes the advertising information regarding a convenience store with the establishment name “AAA” (establishment ID “C0001”) to themobile terminal5a. In this case, thevoice output part56 of themobile terminal5aoutputs “please stop by at convenience store ‘AAA.’ Sandwiches are now onsale 10% off” to the user of themobile terminal5ain voice. As another example, it is assumed that theinformation distribution part70 distributes the advertising information regarding a gas station with the establishment name “CCC” (establishment ID “G0001”) to themobile terminal5a. In this case, thevoice output part56 of themobile terminal5aoutputs “please stop by at gas station ‘CCC’ and save ¥2 on regular gasoline today” to the user of themobile terminal5ain voice. Note that these advertising information contents are merely examples.
• (Configuration of Information Distribution Device for Updating Distribution Direction Information)
• Theinformation distribution device6 further has the function of calculating, for each of a plurality of predetermined directions in each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area, a direction visit probability and updating the distribution direction information on the basis of the calculated direction visit probabilities. Thus, theinformation distribution device6 further includes a visitinformation reception part71, a distribution information management table72, avisit management part73, a distributionarea evaluation part74, a visit trend management table75 and a distributionarea updating part76. The tables72 and75 each are stored in the management database D of theinformation distribution device6.
• Here, the functions of the visitinformation reception part71, thevisit management part73, the distributionarea evaluation part74 and the distributionarea updating part76 each are attained by the execution of a predetermined program by an arithmetical unit, such as a CPU of a computer. Therefore, the program for attaining each of the functions on the computer or a recording medium storing the program is also one form of the present invention. Further, the distribution information management table72 and the visit trend management table75 are embodied by an internal memory of the computer or a memory to which the computer is accessible.
• The visitinformation reception part71 receives, via the network N, the visit information transmitted from the mobile terminals5. The visitinformation reception part71 outputs the received visit information to thevisit management part73.
• In the distribution information management table (distribution information recording part)72, terminal location information at the time of distribution, terminal direction information at the time of distribution, area information at the time of distribution and visit information are recorded. The terminal direction information at the time of distribution indicates the directions in which the mobile terminals5 travel when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part70 to the mobile terminals5, which is obtained from the terminal direction information.FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the distribution information management table72. As illustrated inFIG. 24, in the distribution information management table72, advertisement IDs, mobile terminal IDs, latitude information at the time of distribution, longitude information at the time of distribution, the terminal direction information at the time of distribution, area IDs at the time of distribution, distribution time and the presence or absence of visits are recorded.
• On the basis of the visit information outputted from the visitinformation reception part71, thevisit management part73 writes “true” in the column “presence or absence of visits” of the distribution information management table72. Also, thevisit management part73 extracts a record of the distribution information management table72 at predetermined intervals. When the presence or absence of visits of the extracted record is not “true”, thevisit management part73 compares the distribution time of the extracted record and the current time, and determines that the user of the mobile terminal5 has not visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information when the difference is equal to or larger than a set time. In this case, thevisit management part73 writes in the distribution information management table72 “false” indicating that the user of the mobile terminal5 has not visited the establishment.
• In addition to the functions of the distributionarea evaluation part45 illustrated inFIG. 2, the distributionarea evaluation part74 has the following function. That is, the distributionarea evaluation part74 calculates, for each of a plurality of predetermined directions in each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area, a direction visit probability (direction visit evaluation value) indicating, of the users of the mobile terminals5 who have been traveling in any one of the plurality of directions in any one of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part70, a percentage of those who have visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed to the mobile terminals5.
• Specifically, first, the distributionarea evaluation part74 extracts, from the distribution information management table72, the terminal location information at the time of distribution and the visit information both correlated to the same advertisement ID and area ID at the time of distribution. Then, for each of the directions in each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area, the distributionarea evaluation part74 calculates a total of distributions of the advertising information to the mobile terminals5 traveling in each of the directions (the number of distributions of advertisements). On the basis of the presence or absence of visits indicated by the visit information, the distributionarea evaluation part74 also calculates, of the calculated number of distributions of advertisements, the number of users of the mobile terminals5 who have actually visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information (the number of visits). Further, the distributionarea evaluation part74 calculates each direction visit probability by dividing the calculated number of visits by the calculated number of distributions of advertisements. The distributionarea evaluation part74 writes, in the distribution trend management table75, the calculated number of distributions of advertisements, the calculated number of visits and the calculated direction visit probabilities.
• In this way, the distributionarea evaluation part74 extracts, from the distribution information management table72, the terminal direction information at the time of distribution and the visit information on an advertisement ID and area ID at the time of distribution basis, and writes, sequentially in the distribution trend management table75, the number of distributions of advertisements, the number of visits and the direction visit probabilities, all of which are calculated on the basis of the extracted terminal direction information at the time of distribution and visit information. Here, the number of distributions of advertisements, the number of visits and the direction visit probabilities form the visit trend information.
• In the visit trend management table75, the visit trend information written by the distributionarea evaluation part74 is recoded.FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating one example of data recorded in the visit trend management table75. As illustrated inFIG. 25, in the visit trend management table75, advertisement IDs, area IDs, the number of distributions of advertisements (area), the number of visits (area), area visit probabilities, directions, the number of distributions of advertisements (direction), the number of visits (direction) and direction visit probabilities are recorded.
• For example, the visit trend management table75 illustrated inFIG. 25 provides that a total of distributions of the advertising information with the advertisement ID “A0001” to the mobile terminals5 located within an area with the area ID “M0002” and traveling in the “north” is “30” (the number of distributions of advertisements (direction)) and of the “30” users of the mobile terminals5 who have received the advertisement, the number of those who have actually visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information with the advertisement ID “A0001” is 15 (the number of visits (direction)). That is, as illustrated inFIG. 25, the direction visit probability in this case can be expressed as follows; the number of visits (direction) “15”/the number of distributions of advertisements (direction) “30”=50.0%.
• In addition to the functions of the distributionarea updating part47 illustrated inFIG. 2, the distributionarea updating part76 has the following function. That is, the distributionarea updating part76 updates the distribution direction information recorded in the distribution area management table67 such that the advertising information is distributed only to the mobile terminals5 traveling in the directions whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value. Consequently, theinformation distribution part70 can distribute the advertising information only to the mobile terminals5 located within the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value and traveling in the directions whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value in the areas. The threshold value of the direction visit probability is pre-recorded in a memory (not illustrated) of theinformation distribution device6.
• Although a description has been given in the above of an example where the uniform threshold value is set for each direction visit probability, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the threshold value of the direction visit probability may be set on an area or direction basis. Further, the threshold value of the area visit evaluation value and that of the direction visit evaluation value may be the same or be different from each other.
• (Exemplary Operations of Distribution System)
• Next, the operations of thedistribution system10 according to the above-described configuration will be described with reference toFIGS. 26 to 28.
• FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of thedistribution system10 when theinformation distribution device6 distributes the advertising information to the mobile terminal5. As illustrated inFIG. 26, thedistribution system10 carries out the processes of Op31 to Op33. Since the processes of Op31 to Op33 illustrated inFIG. 26 are the same as the processes of Op1 to Op3 illustrated inFIG. 15, the description thereof will not be repeated.
• Thereafter, the terminaldirection measurement part53 generates terminal direction information indicating the direction in which the mobile terminal5 travels and outputs the generated terminal direction information to the terminaldirection transmission part54. The terminaldirection transmission part54 transmits, via the network N, the terminal direction information outputted from the terminaldirection measurement part53 to the information distribution device6 (Op34).
• Next, the terminaldirection retrieving part63 of theinformation distribution device6 retrieves, via the network N, the terminal direction information transmitted at Op34 (Op35). Then, theinformation distribution device6 carries out the processes of Op36 to Op38. Since the processes of Op36 to Op38 illustrated inFIG. 26 are the same as the processes of Op4 to Op6 illustrated inFIG. 15, the description thereof will not be repeated. And then, the terminallocation updating part65 updates the terminal direction information recorded in the terminal location management table64 to the terminal direction information retrieved at Op35 (Op39).
• Subsequently, the advertisinginformation extraction part68 determines whether or not the mobile terminal5 is located within any of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area and is traveling in any of the distribution directions indicated by the distribution direction information (Op40). When it is found that the mobile terminal5 is located within any of the plurality of areas and is traveling in any of the distribution directions indicated by the distribution direction information (YES at Op40), the advertisinginformation extraction part68 extracts the advertising information from the advertising information management table66 on the basis of the advertisement ID indicated by the distribution area information (Op41). On the other hand, when the advertisinginformation extraction part68 determines that the mobile terminal5 is located within any of the plurality of areas but is traveling in none of the distribution directions indicated by the distribution direction information (NO at Op40), the processing ofFIG. 26 is ended.
• Next, theinformation distribution part70 determines whether or not the advertising information extracted at Op41 has already been distributed to the mobile terminal5 (Op42). When theinformation distribution part70 determines that the advertising information extracted at Op41 has already been distributed to the mobile terminal5 (YES at Op42), the processing ofFIG. 26 is ended. On the other hand, when it is found that the advertising information extracted at Op41 is yet to be distributed to the mobile terminal5 (NO at Op42), theinformation distribution part70 distributes the advertising information to the mobile terminal5 (Op43). As a result, the advertising information distributed at Op43 is outputted from thevoice output part56 of the mobile terminal5 in voice.
• Then, theinformation distribution part70 writes, in the distribution information management table72, the advertisement ID, the mobile terminal ID, the terminal location information at the time of distribution, the terminal direction information at the time of distribution, the area ID at the time of distribution and the distribution time (Op44).
• FIG. 27 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of thedistribution system10 when determining whether or not the user of the mobile terminal5 has visited an establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed by theinformation distribution device6. As illustrated inFIG. 27, when the user of the mobile terminal5 sets a desired establishment as the destination or a stopping point, the setinformation detection part58 detects the set establishment as set information (Op45). On the basis of the set information detected at Op45, the setinformation detection part58 extracts the establishment information from the establishment information management table57 (Op46).
• Then, thevisit determination part59 determines whether or not the establishment ID indicated by the advertising information outputted from the advertisinginformation reception part55 and the establishment ID indicated by the establishment information extracted at Op46 coincide with each other (Op47). When it is found that the establishment ID indicated by the advertising information and the establishment ID indicated by the establishment information extracted at Op46 coincide with each other (YES at Op47), thevisit determination part59 determines that the user of the mobile terminal5 has visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information. In this case, thevisit determination part59 outputs visit information indicating that the user of the mobile terminal5 has visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information to the visit information transmission part60 (Op48). On the other hand, when thevisit determination part59 determines that the establishment ID indicated by the advertising information and the establishment ID indicated by the establishment information extracted at Op46 do not coincide with each other (NO at Op47), the processing ofFIG. 27 is ended.
• And then, the visitinformation transmission part60 transmits, via the network N, the visit information outputted at Op48 to the information distribution device6 (Op49).
• Next, thevisit reception part71 of theinformation distribution device6 receives, via the network N, the visit information transmitted at Op49 (Op50). Subsequently, on the basis of the visit information received at Op50, thevisit management part73 writes “true” in the column “presence or absence of visits” of the distribution information management table72 (Op51).
• The process in which thevisit management part73 writes “false” in the column “presence or absence of visits” of the distribution information management table72 is the same as the process illustrated inFIG. 17. Thus, the description thereof will not be repeated.
• FIG. 28 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary operation of theinformation distribution device6 when updating the distribution area information and the distribution direction information. As illustrated inFIG. 28, the distributionarea evaluation part74 carries out the processes of Op52 and Op53. Since the processes of Op52 and Op53 illustrated inFIG. 28 are the same as the processes of Op22 and Op23 illustrated inFIG. 18, the description thereof will not be repeated.
• Then, the distributionarea evaluation part71 calculates, for each of a plurality of predetermined directions in each of a plurality of areas forming the distribution area, the direction visit probability indicating, of the users of the mobile terminals5 who have been traveling in any one of the plurality of directions in any one of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the advertising information is distributed from theinformation distribution part70, a percentage of those who have visited the establishment indicated by the advertising information distributed to the mobile terminals5 (Op54). The distributionarea evaluation part74 writes the direction visit probabilities calculated at Op54 in the visit trend management table75 (Op55).
• Subsequently, the distributionarea updating part76 carries out the process of Op56. Since the process of Op56 illustrated inFIG. 28 is the same as the process of Op24 illustrated inFIG. 18, the description thereof will not be repeated. Then, the distributionarea updating part76 updates the distribution direction information recorded in the distribution area management table67 such that the advertising information is distributed only to the mobile terminals5 traveling in the directions whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value (Op57). Consequently, theinformation distribution part70 can distribute the advertising information only to the mobile terminals5 located in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value and traveling in the directions whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas.
• As described above, according to thedistribution system10 of the present embodiment, the advertising information is not distributed to the mobile terminals5 traveling in the directions whose direction visit probability is less than the threshold value even if they are in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. In other words, theinformation distribution part70 can distribute the advertising information only to the mobile terminals5 traveling in the directions whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value. As a result, theinformation distribution device6 according to the present embodiment further can reduced the number of distributions of the advertising information unnecessary to the users of the mobile terminals5 as compared with theinformation distribution device3 according toEmbodiment 1.
• Note that the embodiment described above is one specific example of embodiments of the present invention and a variety of modifications can be made. Hereinafter, a major modified example will be described.
Modified Example
• In the embodiment described above, a description has been given of an example where the distributionarea updating part76 updates the distribution direction information recorded in the distribution area management table67 such that the advertising information is distributed only to the mobile terminals5 traveling in the directions whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value (hereinafter referred to as the target directions) in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value (hereinafter referred to as the target areas). However, it is likely that, of areas that are in the vicinity of the target areas and are in the directions opposite to the target directions in the target areas, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part74 (i.e., unevaluated areas) also have an area visit probability equal to or larger than the threshold value. Thus, in addition to the functions of the distributionarea updating part76 according to the embodiment described above, the distributionarea updating part76 according to this modified example has the following function. That is, the distributionarea updating part76 according to this modified example updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table67 such that the distribution area also includes, of areas that are in the vicinity of the target areas and are in the directions opposite to the target directions in the target areas, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distributionarea evaluation part74.
• As illustrated inFIG. 29, it is assumed that, as an example, nine areas, i.e., areas E₂, E₃, E₄, E₆, E₇, E₈, E₁₀, E₁₁and E₁₂, form a distribution area H. In this case, it is assumed that the target areas are three areas, the areas E₆, E₁₀and E₁₁. It is also assumed that the target direction in the area E₆is the south (the direction of an arrow A₁inFIG. 29), the target directions in the area E₁₀are the east, the southeast and the south (the direction of an arrow A₂, the direction of and arrow A₃and the direction of an arrow A₄inFIG. 29, respectively) and the target direction in the area E₁₁is the east (the direction of an arrow A₅inFIG. 29). Thus, of areas that are in the vicinity of the target areas and are in the directions opposite to the target directions in the target areas, those whose area visit probability is not calculated by the distributionarea evaluation part74 are five areas, areas E₅, E₉, E₁₃, E₁₄and E₁₅. In this modified example, although the areas in the vicinity of the target areas refer to those situated one square next to the target areas (including diagonal direction), they are not limited to this example.
• In such a case, the distributionarea updating part76 updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area management table67 such that the distribution area only includes eight areas, i.e., the areas E₅, E₆, E₉, E₁₀, E₁₁, E₁₃, E₁₄and E₁₅. Consequently, theinformation distribution part70 can distribute the advertising information also to the mobile terminals located within the areas that are in the vicinity of the target areas and are in the directions opposite to the target directions in the target areas.
• Although a description has been given inEmbodiments 1 and 2 of an example where the information distribution device distributes the advertising information indicating advertisements for products in which establishments deal to the mobile terminals, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, the information distribution device may distribute popularity information (word-of-mouth information) indicating the popularity of an establishment to the mobile terminals. The information distribution device may also distribute event information indicating details on an event that takes place at some place (location) to the mobile terminals. In other words, as long as the information distribution device can distribute notification information regarding a predetermined location to the mobile terminals, the types of notification information are not limited to the advertising information, popularity information and event information described above.
• Although a description has been given inEmbodiment 2 of an example where whether to distribute the advertising information or not is determined in accordance with the directions in which the mobile terminals travel, the present invention is not limited to this example. For example, whether to distribute the advertising information or not may be determined in accordance with the speed at which each of the mobile terminals travels. In other words, whether to distribute the advertising information or not is determined in accordance with whether the user of the mobile terminal in the distribution area is traveling by car (or train) or on foot. Whether to distribute the advertising information or not also may be determined in accordance with the direction in which and the speed at which each of the mobile terminals travels.
• Further, a description has been given inEmbodiment 1 of an example where the visit determination part determines that the user of the mobile terminal has visited an establishment when the current location of the mobile terminal indicates that it has been within the location range of the establishment for a duration equal to or larger than the stay determination time. Further, a description has been given inEmbodiment 2 of an example where when the user of the mobile terminal who has received the advertising information sets an establishment indicated by the advertising information as the destination or a stopping point, the visit determination part determines that the user of the mobile terminal has visited the establishment. However, the present invention is not limited only to these configurations. For example, the visit determination part may determine that the user of the mobile terminal has visited the establishment when the user of the mobile terminal purchases a product sold at the establishment with his/her mobile terminal. Further, the visit determination part may determine that the user of the mobile terminal has visited a gas station (establishment) when an increase in the fuel of the mobile unit is detected.
• Further, although a description has been given inEmbodiments 1 and 2 of an example where each data is recorded in each table, the present invention is not limited to this example. That is, as long as data can be recorded in the recording parts, the recording parts are not limited to tables.
• As described above, the present invention is useful as an information distribution device, an information distribution method or a program capable of reducing the number of distributions of notification information unnecessary to the users of mobile terminals.
• All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to furthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. AlthoughEmbodiments 1 and 2 of the present invention have been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (6)

1. An information distribution device comprising:

a terminal location retrieving part that retrieves terminal location information indicating current locations of mobile terminals;

a notification information recording part in which notification information regarding a predetermined location is pre-recorded;

a distribution area recording part in which distribution area information indicating a distribution area formed of a plurality of areas is recorded;

an information distribution part that distributes the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within the distribution area;

a distribution information recording part, wherein recorded in the distribution information recording part is area information at a time of distribution indicating areas in which the mobile terminals are located when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part to the mobile terminals, and the area information at the time of distribution is recorded for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part;

a distribution area evaluation part that calculates, for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the area information at the time of distribution, an area visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information; and

a distribution area updating part that updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality areas, those whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than a threshold value.

2. The information distribution device according toclaim 1, wherein the distribution area updating part updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area also includes, of areas in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit evaluation value is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part.

3. The information distribution device according toclaim 1, further comprising a terminal direction retrieving part that retrieves terminal direction information indicating directions in which the mobile terminals travel,

wherein distribution direction information indicating directions is recorded in the distribution area recording part for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area,

the information distribution part distributes the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and traveling in the directions indicated by the distribution direction information,

further recorded in the distribution information recording part is terminal direction information at a time of distribution obtained from the terminal direction information and indicating directions in which the mobile terminals travel when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part to the mobile terminals, and the terminal direction information at the time of distribution is recorded for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part,

the distribution area evaluation part calculates, for each of a plurality of predetermined directions in each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area and based on the terminal direction information at the time of distribution, a direction visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been traveling in any one of the plurality of directions in any one of the plurality of areas when the notification information is distributed from the information distribution part, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information, and

the distribution area updating part updates the distribution direction information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the notification information is distributed only to the mobile terminals traveling in, of the plurality of directions, those whose direction visit probability is equal to or larger than a threshold value in the areas whose area visit probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value.

4. The information distribution device according toclaim 3, wherein the distribution area updating part updates the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area also includes, of areas that are in the vicinity of the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value and are in directions opposite to the directions whose visit direction probability is equal to or larger than the threshold value in the areas whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than the threshold value, those whose area visit evaluation value is not calculated by the distribution area evaluation part.

5. An information distribution method executed by a computer including a notification information recording part in which notification information regarding a predetermined location is pre-recorded and a distribution area recording part in which distribution area information indicating a distribution area formed of a plurality of areas is recorded, the information distribution method comprising:

retrieving, by a terminal location retrieving part included in the computer, terminal location information indicating current locations of mobile terminals;

distributing, by an information distribution part included in the computer, the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within the distribution area;

calculating, by a distribution area evaluation part included in the computer and for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area, an area visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the notification information is distributed, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information based on area information at a time of distribution indicating areas in which the mobile terminals are located when the notification information is distributed and recorded in a distribution information recording part for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed; and

updating, by a distribution area updating part included in the computer, the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality areas, those whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than a threshold value.

6. A non-transitory recording medium storing a program for causing a computer including a notification information recording part in which notification information regarding a predetermined location is pre-recorded and a distribution area recording part in which distribution area information indicating a distribution area formed of a plurality of areas is recorded to perform processing of:

retrieving terminal location information indicating current locations of mobile terminals;

distributing the notification information to, of the mobile terminals, those located within the distribution area;

calculating, for each of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area, an area visit evaluation value indicating, of users of the mobile terminals who have been in any of the plurality of areas forming the distribution area when the notification information is distributed, a percentage of those who have visited the location indicated by the notification information based on area information at a time of distribution indicating areas in which the mobile terminals are located when the notification information is distributed and recorded in a distribution information recording part for each of the mobile terminals to which the notification information is distributed; and

updating the distribution area information recorded in the distribution area recording part such that the distribution area only includes, of the plurality areas, those whose area visit evaluation value is equal to or larger than a threshold value.

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